I am sure that we have all come across people who have remarkable stories and over the last week I have come across two who stand out for opposite reasons.
One is the youngest pilot to fly combat missions for the RAF and quite possibly the youngest combat pilot of any airfirce. The other is the oldest person to take part in active combat in regular service for the UK but I admit he served at sea and on land not in the air.

First of all I give you the youngest combat pilot in RAF service.

Flight Sergeant Dobney
In August 1940 Tom Dobney applied to join the RAF, He lied about his age but blagged his way through the initial selection process and medical and was accepted for training at the age of 14 and three months.
On 12 May 1941 he had his first training flight in Tiger Moth at the age of 15 and four days and soloed three weeks after his fifteenth birthday.
Tom was awarded his wings when 15 four months and three days and with that his promotion to flight sergeant. Selected for bomber aircraft he flew three missions as the pilot in Whitley bombers including one combat against German fighters when his father tracked him down and he was grounded aged 15. Finally discharged from the RAF in January 1942 while still aged 15 he was told in writing that when he was the right age he could apply for the RAF and would be qualified to wear his wings from the first day.

Personally I would have loved to be there when the rest of his crew was told. Can you imagine it, sorry guys the skipper wont be coming back, Why? he was only fifteen!! Next move a rush to the bar

My uncle joined the USAF at 16 - stole my mother's birth certificate and forged it. His name was "William," my mom was "Lillian" so you could see how easly this was done.

Here's someone who might be worthy of note:

"After the Yom Kippur War, Epstein received the Medal of Distinguished Service, one of Israel's highest military honors. He went on to command Mirage and Kfir squadrons and was flying "ready" missions in the F-16 up until his 60th birthday."

"Uri Gil, born April 9, 1943, is a retired Brigadier General in the Israeli Air Force. In 2007, he was listed as the most senior combat pilot in history in the Guinness World Records. In 2008, Gil was featured in an Israel documentary titled The Best Pilot in the World. The film was directed by Dr. Amir Har-Gil. In the film, Gil talks about his over 41 years of service in the Israeli Air Force, and the many enemy planes he shot down. Gil stated in the film that he was the only pilot who had downed planes in all the wars"

"Uri Gil, born April 9, 1943, is a retired Brigadier General in the Israeli Air Force. In 2007, he was listed as the most senior combat pilot in history in the Guinness World Records. In 2008, Gil was featured in an Israel documentary titled The Best Pilot in the World. The film was directed by Dr. Amir Har-Gil. In the film, Gil talks about his over 41 years of service in the Israeli Air Force, and the many enemy planes he shot down.Gil stated in the film that he was the only pilot who had downed planes in all the wars"